The second Islands Internationals tournament took place at the end of January and was held at the Empress Hotel in Douglas, Isle of Man.

Jersey and Guernsey sent teams to take on the hosts and, pre-tournament favourites, the Republic of Ireland who were looking to repeat their clean sweep from the previous year. There was a slight change to the format, only the round robin matches were played this time with the playoffs removed from the schedule. Each game was of the best of five legs, with the Ladies matches consisting of seven players per side, the Men each sending thirteen players into battle.

Day One saw the ladies take to the oche, Jersey had the unenviable task of taking on their counterparts from the Emerald Isle, who included in their squad Robin Byrne, Katie Sheldon and Caroline Breen, three quarters of the team that won the Ladies Team event at last year’s WDF World Cup in Denmark.

Ema Hawley was the only winner in their 6-1 defeat, but Hope Hopwood was unlucky not to have added her name into the win column, losing in the deciding leg.  Jenna “Ginge” Avrill squared off against Sheldon, and although losing in four it was a good quality encounter with both ladies regularly hitting three figure scores.

Guernsey began their campaign against the Isle of Man. The Green Army went into the contest hopeful of laying down an early marker, but ended proceedings on the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline. Debbie Hamon and Sharon Le Page both took their points in straight legs.

It was then the turn of the Men to play their solitary match of the day. Jersey acquitted themselves well against the Irish, with Sid Bell, Steve Eusebini and Eddie Le Bailly taking three points against the ten accrued by their opponents.

Guernsey did manage to get four points on the board against the Isle of Man. Shaun Allez and Adi Exall got the better of their opponent in two tight matches, with Kieran Queripel and Phil Dodd doubling the tally of wins as both produced some fine darts. 

The day concluded with the ladies again taking centre stage. Jersey’s match with the Isle of Man was a see-saw affair. After losing the first match, Casey Lodwidge and Ema Hawley both won in straight legs. The hosts then took the next three points on offer, with two of those matches going all the way.

Guernsey got off to the best possible start against Ireland, Tracy Ingrouille drawing first blood. From that point on though, it was all about the Irish girls, but the fourth match of the session saw Guernsey coming close to doubling their tally. Le Page threw some lovely darts as the first four legs went with throw, but despite having the advantage in the last, she wasn’t quite able to get the point that her earlier play warranted.

The second and final day would see the men playing two matches. Jersey’s men began against their hosts. Dave Parlby took the opening point of the session but only two more were added to the collection, courtesy of Craig Brolly and Lewis Bell.

Guernsey’s gents knew that they would have a tough assignment when they faced a strong Irish side and so it proved. Only the one victory was celebrated, as Dodd continued to remain unbeaten after another five leg win.

The final matches for each island saw them square off against each other.  In the ladies contest, Donna Le Clercq got Jersey up and away with a win four legs. Guernsey then took charge with three straight victories.  However Jersey weren’t giving up. Ema Hawley and Lorraine Porter levelled the match score to set up the grandstand finish, and in the fourth leg, it was Casey Lodwidge who found the outer ring to give Jersey the bragging rights.

The Republic of Ireland ladies defeated the Isle of Man 5-2, but were pushed hard and the match was all square after 4 games.

In the Men’s competition, another 10-3 for the Irish over the Isle of Man ensured that they would match the Ladies and regain their title.

But all eyes were on the other board, as the two Channel Islands prepared to slug it out. In the end, it was a one-sided affair. Nathan Le Bailly, Nigel Greenwood, Mark Buckingham, Taylor Greechan and Steve Eusebini sent Jersey into a commanding five nil lead. Guernsey then broke their duck as Michael Ogier and Shaun Allez reduced the arrears. The revival soon ended though as the next 4 matches went to Jersey, with Mark James, Lewis Bell, Sid Bell and Craig Quemard all getting the duke. Guernsey did take the last two games courtesy of Adi Exall and Lee Savident, but they were merely consolation points.

The various tournaments for the Islands Knockouts are already under way, with the winners on each island squaring off the night before Jersey host the Inter-Insular for the first time in 5 years at the end of April.

Before that, Guernsey is bracing itself for an invasion from the mainland as over 60 players from the City of London Darts Association take on the Western Individual League in their annual Challenge match which takes place at the beginning of March.

“The Pearly King”

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